Caring for Your Propane Tank This Winter

Make sure it’s full, secure, and accessible

Winter has come to New England! As a propane customer, you need to be mindful of certain things during the winter months. It’s important to stay on top of your propane level and keep safety front of mind. This becomes increasingly important in the days before, during, and after a winter storm.

By following these six steps, you’ll be helping to protect your family and the W.H. Riley crew all winter:

1. Mark your tank. Secure a brightly-colored flag to the top of your propane tank. This will help our delivery team find your tank in inclement weather. It will also help our drivers gauge how to safely and effectively position their trucks for delivery.
2. Clear a path. Maintain a clear path to your tank. Remove any accumulated snow or ice that will impede access to your tank for maintenance, gas level monitoring, and refilling.
3. Remove the snow. After you’ve cleared a path to your propane tank, use a broom to clear snow and ice from the tank itself. Never use a shovel. That could puncture the tank and cause a propane gas leak.
4. Check your vents and flues. Check them regularly to make sure they remain clear. This will protect your family from a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide in your house. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious medical emergency that can prove fatal. Test your carbon monoxide detectors every month and replace the batteries every six months. Replace the detectors themselves every 5 to 7 years, or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Monitor your propane level. If you’re not an automatic delivery customer, keep a close eye on your tank’s level. You’ll need to make more frequent checks the colder it gets so you don’t get caught without enough fuel. Call W. H. Riley before your tank gets to the one-quarter mark. The sooner you call for delivery the better. Winter is our busiest season. However, you can make things much easier for yourself by signing up for automatic propane delivery. We’ll monitor your usage and create a delivery schedule so that you never run out.
6. Know what to do in case of an emergency. If there’s a leak, it will smell like rotten eggs. As soon as you smell something, it’s time to do something. Click here for instructions on what to do when you smell gas.

You can trust the experts at W.H. Riley & Son to help keep you safe comfortable in your home all winter long. We provide our customers in southeastern Massachusetts with competitive prices, stellar customer service, and an exemplary safety record. Click here to see if we provide service in your neighborhood.

Contact us today to learn more or to become a customer and experience the benefits of a having a full-service propane provider.